How did you find yourself in this position?
I had a friendly match with Senegal against Kosovo just after its recognition by Fifa and UEFA (in 2014). I also have Kosovar friends based in Toulouse and in contact with the president of the federation. They said to me: “we are looking for a coach”. I had ants in my legs, and no other stresses, so I said I was going. It’s a young country, with a young generation, I want to make my contribution. It was done in a week, the time to discuss, organize and come on site.
Did you itch to find a selection bench?
I was itching to be active. I still have the flame to get involved. Not necessarily in a club, because I got used to selections, with my mode of operation. This time, it’s just that it will be in Europe. It was not particularly a preference, if the opportunity had arisen in Africa, I would have gone there too.
Where is Kosovar football?
It’s just getting started, it’s been officially in existence for eight years. All the team’s players play abroad: Naples, Ipswich, Majorca… They are young players, quite technical. We will have to set up a team, create a dynamic, get them involved. Many were born abroad, of course because of the war (between March 1998 and June 1999). But it’s no different from what I experienced in Senegal, Algeria or Mali.
Do you feel a big expectation on the spot?
It is obvious. I left the press conference, there were a lot of journalists. Football has taken on enormous importance in all countries, everyone wants to taste the World Cups and the Euros, this is the case here. You must first gradually enter the circuit and raise the level.
What are your goals ?
First play the four Nations League games in June (against Greece twice, Northern Ireland, and Cyprus or Estonia). We are in league C, the objective is to seek the rise in league B. But we are aware of the level of the team. It is a construction project. Then there will be Euro 2024, but it will be more complicated, that’s obvious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OJbFNMnkmw
What will your life as Kosovo coach look like?
To that of all breeders: observation, information, follow-up. Many Kosovar players are in youth teams in Germany, Switzerland… We have to try to attract them. In terms of organization, for travel, accommodation, there is everything you need. I will spend time here, as I have done elsewhere, to get involved and soak up, and collaborate with the technical teams of the federation.
Is it a region of the world that particularly interests you?
Wherever I was, I was curious to know the environment, the life of people. It is a young country which is getting organized and developing. I will discover.